[mickey]

Chris Vermeulen:
“I had a good result last weekend at Donington and would like to repeat that at Assen. We had a few issues in the race last year, but did manage to get in the top-10. I really like the track and I had a double-header win in World Superbikes in 2005 as well as setting pole position and the fastest lap of the day in the races, so I know my way around here as well as anyone. I am really looking forward to this weekend and we need to keep this run going!”

John Hopkins:
“I can’t wait to get to Assen, I love it there! I got my first pole last year and I know I could have had a better result in the race but we had some grip problems. I can’t see that happening again this year because Bridgestone has really stepped up and the tyres have worked well everywhere so far. The bike is also going great and we have shown that by being able to consistently run at the front in all conditions, so I can only see big things happening this weekend! I really want a dry race as I know the 800s will be fast at Assen and I certainly can’t wait to see what we can do around there!”

Alex Barros : “I was always fast and I obtained many good results on Assen track. In 2000 I won the race and in 2002 I achieved the second place on podium. For this year too I’m confident both because I believe in the work of my team and because we have at our disposal a very competitive package bike-tires. Despite of the numerous changes carried out on this track that have made it less spectacular in comparison with the past, I like it. Generally, I’m agree in making some modifications on circuits for reason of security, but in this case I can’t understand why people decided to alter the Dutch TT circuit, considered a sort of university of motorcycling.”

Alex Hofmann : “Even if the track is not as beautiful as it was in the past years, I like it, above all thanks to the fact that is really near to Germany and for me this will be like riding at home. Certainly there will be a lot of friends to support me and this makes me very happy. It is always a touching ride when you have a lot of fans, because the atmosphere becomes more exciting. I want to be good to confirm the top-ten I obtained in Donington and maybe be able to achieve a better result. I’m sure I can reach my aim.”

Shinya Nakano
“I think I’m probably one of the few riders who actually prefers the ‘new’ Assen circuit to the old one. I am sure it does have something to do with qualifying well in second position last year and then taking second place in the race! Obviously this will be the first time I’m riding at Assen with the new 800cc Honda MotoGP bike and the first time on Michelin tyres, but I think the track itself now really suits my style, so I’m hoping that we can get a good result. We think that the weather conditions will be similar to Donington, so we shouldn’t have too many surprises from last weekend.